Protection in the guardian-spirit sense. Solid choice.

What a Japanese person actually thinks
Steady and a bit spiritual. Reads as protective rather than aggressive, which is a distinction most 'strength' tattoos fail to make.

Meaning

Literally: protect + guard
Actually: Protection or guardianship. Also a historical provincial governor title, and the word in 守護霊 (guardian spirit).

Scores

Naturalness●●●●●

Common word.

Coolness●●●●●

Well-balanced pair, clear meaning, no ambiguity.

Watch out

Nothing embarrassing lurking in here.

On skin

守護

Orientation: vertical

Mincho.